2020-21 Three Man Weave Top 40 Countdown

[WuShock Reaper]

THREE MAN WEAVE

https://www.three-man-weave.com/conference-previews-1

#40 Mississippi 2020-21 Preview c-Conference
#39 Oklahoma State 2020-21 Preview Non-Conference
#38 SMU 2020-21 Preview
#31 Memphis 2020-21 Preview
#25 Ohio State 2020-21 Preview Potential Battle 4 Atlantis Opponent
#12 Creighton 2020-21 Preview Potential Battle 4 Atlantis Opponent
#11 Houston 2020-21 Preview
#10 West Virginia 2020-21 Preview Potential Battle 4 Atlantis Opponent
#4 Duke 2020-21 Preview Potential Battle 4 Atlantis Opponent

[WuShock Reaper]

#40 Mississippi 2020-21 Preview

July 27, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: Devontae Shuler, KJ Buffen, Khadim Sy, Luis Rodriguez, Austin Crowley
Key Losses: Breein Tyree, Blake Hinson
Key Newcomers: Romello White (Arizona State), Jarkell Joiner (Cal State Bakersfield), Dimencio Vaughn (Rider), Matthew Murrell, Shon Robinson (Redshirt)

*** As of this preview date, Robert Allen (Samford transfer) has not received a waiver to play immediately

...Bottom Line: The SEC is deep as the Mariana Trench this season, but Ole Miss has the talent to compete near the top. Defense should be at least as stout as last season, likely better with the additions of White and Vaughn. Offensively, the Rebels should be able to make up for the loss of Tyree with help from Joiner and the ascendance of Shuler and the rest of the crop of promising returners."

[WuShock Reaper]

#39 Oklahoma State 2020-21 Preview

July 28, 2020
-Matt Cox

"Key Returners: Isaac Likekele, Kalib Boone, Keylan Boone, Chris Harris Jr., Avery Anderson III
Key Losses: Yor Anei, Jonathan Laurent
Key Newcomers: Cade Cunningham, Ferron Flavors Jr. (Cal Baptist), Montreal Pena, Rondel Walker, Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe, Donovan Williams, Bernard Kouma (JUCO)...

'''Bottom Line: This roster feels top heavy, but with two stellar lead guards, including an All-American caliber freshman phenom, picking the Pokes any lower than 7th in the Big-12 feels foolish. In-state rival Oklahoma could usurp the Pokes, but I’d be stunned to see the Cowboys slip into the bottom-3. The commitment this roster showed to Boynton this offseason was special, a blinking indicator that OSU will claw tooth and nail for every possession this season – and for them, the regular season IS the postseason."

[WuShock Reaper]

#38 SMU 2020-21 Preview

July 29, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: Kendric Davis, Tyson Jolly, Feron Hunt, Emmanuel Bandoumel, Ethan Chargois, Isiah Jasey, CJ White
Key Losses: Isiaha Mike
Key Newcomers: Yor Anei (Oklahoma State)***, Darius McNeill (California), Darius McBride (Redshirt)

*** As of this preview date, Yor Anei has yet to receive a waiver to be immediately eligible

...Bottom Line: Defense is the one area holding SMU back from AAC title contention and an at-large bid. The Stangs have the athletes, the size, the depth, and now hopefully the rim stopper to be a good defensive team on paper, but until they execute, we have to take a wait-and-see approach to their expectations. At least we know the offense will be a joy to watch."

[WuShock Reaper]

#31 Memphis 2020-21 Preview

August 6, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: Lester Quinones, Boogie Ellis, DJ Jeffries, Alex Lomax, Damion Baugh, Lance Thomas, Malcolm Dandridge, Jayden Hardaway
Key Losses: Precious Achiuwa, Tyler Harris, Isaiah Maurice
Key Newcomers: Moussa Cisse, Ahmad Rand (JUCO), Isaiah Stokes (Florida)

...Bottom Line: Memphis is one of the most talented teams in the country on paper heading into the season. The difference between this year and last year’s severely overrated squad is experience – Penny now has that in spades to pair with a freshman in Cisse who is a near-guarantee to be at least a positive impact on the defensive end. Penny’s offense may not be top 50-good, but it will almost certainly be better than 210th. A fully healthy season from Jeffries and Quinones should also help the Tigers compete near the top of the conference and give Houston a run for its money. If the NCAA grants sit-out transfers Landers Nolley and/or DeAndre Williams a waiver, LOL look out."

[JVShocker]

I'm not saying there will even be any games played, because I just don't feel like there will be. But I think Memphis will miss Coach Mike Miller this season. #30 preseason seems, like, really-really high. I hope they do well, as it bodes well for the conference. I wouldn't discount a Gregg Marshall coached team in any league though.

[Stickboy46]

I'm not saying there will even be any games played, because I just don't feel like there will be. But I think Memphis will miss Coach Mike Miller this season. #30 preseason seems, like, really-really high. I hope they do well, as it bodes well for the conference. I wouldn't discount a Gregg Marshall coached team in any league though.

I would put them 30 if they already had their waivers in hand.

[WuShock Reaper]

#25 Ohio State 2020-21 Preview - Potential Battle 4 Atlantis Opponent

August 11, 2020

"Key Returners: CJ Walker, Duane Washington, Kyle Young, E.J. Liddell
Key Losses: Kaleb Wesson (pro), Luther Muhammad (transfer), Andre Wesson, D.J. Carton (transfer)
Key Newcomers: Seth Towns (Harvard), Justice Sueing (Cal), Eugene Brown III, Zed Key, Abel Porter (Utah State)...

Bottom Line: This is a Chris Holtmann-coached team with talent inside and out, so Ohio State isn’t going anywhere. The Buckeyes will be mired in the high-quality muck that exists in the Big Ten’s top nine or so teams, and differentiating from that glut of solid squads will be a challenge. Still, if Towns and Sueing provide versatile scoring punch and Liddell develops as an offensive hub on the block, OSU should have a high-ish ceiling on both ends of the floor, with Sweet 16 being a realistic positive outcome."

[WuShock Reaper]

#12 Creighton 2020-21 Preview

August 24, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: Marcus Zegarowski, Mitchell Ballock, Damien Jefferson, Denzel Mahoney, Christian Bishop, Jacob Epperson, Shereef Mitchell
Key Losses: Ty-Shon Alexander, Davion Mintz, Kelvin Jones
Key Newcomers: Antwann Jones (Memphis), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Modestas Kancleris, Rati Andronikashvili...

Bottom Line: Villanova is the clear favorite in the Big East this season, but Creighton is a tier above 3rd place and below. Expect the Jays to compete for a conference title, have a near-top-five offense, and a top 90ish defense. Creighton should find itself with a high seed in March and the potential to make a deep run in the Dance behind the leadership of one of the best point guards in the land."

[WuShock Reaper]

#11 Houston 2020-21 Preview

August 25, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: DeJon Jarreau, Quentin Grimes, Marcus Sasser, Caleb Mills, Justin Gorham, Brison Gresham
Key Losses: Fabian White (Injury)**, Nate Hinton, Chris Harris
Key Newcomers: Cameron Tyson (Idaho), Tramon Mark, Jamal Shead, Kiyron Powell, J’Wan Roberts (Redshirt), Reggie Chaney (Arkansas)***

** Fabian White tore his ACL this offseason **
*** Reggie Chaney is awaiting a waiver to be immediately eligible this season ***


Bottom Line: Just like the past three seasons, Houston is going to be very good in 2020-21. White’s injury and Hinton’s pro departure hurt, but the Coogs still have plenty of depth and are led by a top 15 coach in the country. Sampson has his system running like a well-oiled machine – the Coogs should be considered the heavy favorites in the AAC this season and a threat to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament."

[WuShock Reaper]

#10 West Virginia 2020-21 Preview

August 26, 2020
-Matt Cox

"Key Returners: Miles McBride, Oscar Tshiebwe, Derek Culver, Emmitt Matthews Jr., Sean McNeil, Taz Sherman, Jordan McCabe, Gabe Osabuohien
Key Losses: Jermaine Haley, Chase Harler, Logan Routt, Brandon Knapper
Key Newcomers: Kedrian Johnson (JUCO),Isaiah Cottrell, Taj Thweatt, Seny Ndiaye...

Bottom Line: Don’t let last year’s double-digit loss tally and .500 Big-12 record fool you. Despite navigating the choppy waters of a fickle backcourt, the respected analytic barometers pegged the Mountaineers as a top-15 caliber team at season’s end (Barttorvik.com: 16th, KenPom.com: 10th, Haslametrics.com: 12th). Defensive destruction. Rebounding rampage. That’s what propped up the Mountaineers last year, allowing WVU to overcome an atrocious 26.4% team 3-point field goal percentage and 62.9% team free throw percentage, each of which ranked dead last in the Big-12.

The sheer physicality and tenacity underpin one of the highest floors of any team inside our top-25 rankings. Even if the offense is dragged down by erratic guard play again, Huggins has shown that defending and rebounding at an elite level can mask these offensive scars. That said, I’m betting on McBride and Johnson to be the ointment to last year’s offensive wounds, which could vault the Mountaineers into top-10 territory."

[WstateU]

#11 Houston 2020-21 Preview

August 25, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: Marcus Zegarowski, Mitchell Ballock, Damien Jefferson, Denzel Mahoney, Christian Bishop, Jacob Epperson, Shereef Mitchell
Key Losses: Ty-Shon Alexander, Davion Mintz, Kelvin Jones
Key Newcomers: Antwann Jones (Memphis), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Modestas Kancleris, Rati Andronikashvili...

Bottom Line: Just like the past three seasons, Houston is going to be very good in 2020-21. White’s injury and Hinton’s pro departure hurt, but the Coogs still have plenty of depth and are led by a top 15 coach in the country. Sampson has his system running like a well-oiled machine – the Coogs should be considered the heavy favorites in the AAC this season and a threat to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament."

You might double-check; looks like Creighton players were repeated here.

[ShockAzs]

#11 Houston 2020-21 Preview

August 25, 2020
- Ky McKeon

"Key Returners: Marcus Zegarowski, Mitchell Ballock, Damien Jefferson, Denzel Mahoney, Christian Bishop, Jacob Epperson, Shereef Mitchell
Key Losses: Ty-Shon Alexander, Davion Mintz, Kelvin Jones
Key Newcomers: Antwann Jones (Memphis), Ryan Kalkbrenner, Modestas Kancleris, Rati Andronikashvili...

Bottom Line: Just like the past three seasons, Houston is going to be very good in 2020-21. White’s injury and Hinton’s pro departure hurt, but the Coogs still have plenty of depth and are led by a top 15 coach in the country. Sampson has his system running like a well-oiled machine – the Coogs should be considered the heavy favorites in the AAC this season and a threat to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament."

I love it. Gives Marshall the best challenge right on his backyard. With these two competing against each other, I betcha one of us will pull a final four run soon. Houston has the head start on this current race.
for now

[WuShock Reaper]

#4 Duke 2020-21 Preview

September 1, 2020
-Jim Root

"Key Returners: Matthew Hurt, Wendell Moore, Joey Baker, Jordan Goldwire
Key Losses: Vernon Carey (pro), Tre Jones (pro), Cassius Stanley (pro), Javin DeLaurier, Jack White
Key Newcomers: Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, DJ Steward, Mark Williams, Jaemyn Brakefield, Patrick Tape (Columbia), Henry Coleman...

Bottom Line: It’s another deep and talented team in Durham, and this one has a couple solid veterans who can help foster the youngsters into the college game. If Johnson plays like the star that many (including myself) expect him to be, Duke’s ceiling is quite high: the Blue Devils have shooters, defenders, ball-handlers, athletes – everything Coach K could want. He’ll need to find the correct assembly for all of those pieces, and we’ll no doubt see a head-scratching road performance or two in ACC play, but the Blue Devils will once again be a major factor come March – and this time, they may have a headlining NBA Draft prospect leading them."